Sónar 2014 has finalised its main line-up with 50 new artists, headed by the legendary Chic, with Nile Rodgers at the helm. The festival will also present performances by several Nordic artists with their finger very much on the pulse, including Neneh Cherry, Lykke Li (both presenting new albums at Sónar), the Röyksopp + Robyn duo, Todd Terje and Trentemøller, as well as immersive digital experiences byAudion and Daito Manabe and visionary artists such as Dâm-Funk, Kid Koala, Forest Swords, Henry Saiz and Oren Ambarchi, who will be performing with Sinfonietta Cracovia in a joint collaboration between Sónar and Unsound Festival in Poland.

An unprecedented music listening experience: six hours playing vinyl, all three days of Sónar by Day

One of this year’s highlights is DESPACIO powered by McIntosh, a new concept of a listening experience that brings together James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem / DFA) and 2manydjs to focus their finely honed skills on partygoers’ experience through a meticulously chosen selection of music and spectacular-quality high-fidelity sound. On all three days of Sónar by Day, James Murphy and 2manydjs will be playing vinyl records from their own collections for six hours (from 3.30 pm to 9.30 pm) in a specially designed space featuring a circle of seven speaker stacks as part of a one-of-a-kind 50,000 W sound system. Since space is limited, admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

A live history of dance music

Chic and Nile Rogers need no introduction. Universally acclaimed as one of the greatest dance bands of all time, with such immortal hits as “Le Freak” and “Good Times”, their popularity recently went through the roof when their leader, Nile Rodgers, worked on Daft Punk’s new album—not to mention their interplanetary success with “Get Lucky” and collaborations with Disclosure and Tensnake. Their legendary Sonar 2006 concert was one of that year’s highlights and this year’s performance has all the signs of being equally stunning.

Nordic excellence

After the huge success of Sonar Reykjavik and Sonar Stockholm in February, the Nordic scene will continue its onward roll in Barcelona with the likes of Swedish Neneh Cherry (who’s back with a new show and new album, produced by Four Tet, in collaboration with RocketNumberNine), Lykke Li (also presenting a new album) and Robyn, who’s teamed up with Norwegian duo Röyksopp and also appears on a track on Neneh Cherry’s album. Sonar will also be rolling out the red carpet for the Norwegian king of space disco Todd Terje (with a new LP coming out in April) and popular Danish musician Trentemøller, who’ll be performing songs from his recent album “Lost” with a complete band of musicians on stage.

Immersive experiences and avant-garde sound

Always eager to keep up with the latest technological innovations in audiovisual creation and performance, Sonar will be presenting shows that are total immersive experiences, fashioned out of complex languages embracing art, sound and technology. One striking example will be Audion’s performance, and highly acclaimed Japanese creative technologist Daito Manabe will give a live interactive concert combining video mapping and contemporary dance. In addition, US artist Matthew Dear will present his techno project with a powerful show designed by the creators of ISAM (Amon Tobin) in which an A-shaped mechanism responds to live audio impulses created by the artist.

Avant-garde languages are always at the fore at Sonar and this year is no exception. Forest Swords will be revealing their perfect fusion of atavistic dub, ancestral folk and filmic guitar lines in the spirit of Ennio Morricone. Taking risks and searching for new concepts are the aims of the new partnership between Sonar and Unsound Festival in Poland, which will take the shape of two concerts for music connoisseurs: Oren Ambarchi and Sinfonietta Cracovia’s clash between synthetic and classic; and intense, microscopic electronica by Robert Piotrowicz, who regularly works with Kevin Drumm and Ambarchi himself.

Groove in their DNA

Funk and hip hop are in the DNA of three iconoclastic artists who will be at Sonar by Day: Kid Koala returns with a new show, Vinyl Vaudeville 2.0, which features turntable mischief and revamps classic genres of black music (funk, blues, jazz) in a contemporary cabaret format; Dâm-Funk will be bringing vintage synthesisers and drum machines to thrill partygoers with their sizzling retro-futurist boogie-funk; and Spoek Mathambo will be at the helm of Fantasma, a supergroup of South African musicians who fuse the country’s house and psychedelic traditions into a powerful, vibrant sound.

Names from the Spanish scene

Sonar by Day welcomes two of the leading lights on the current Spanish scene. Madrid-based Henry Saizwill premiere a new live show in which he will play songs from his latest album on the Natura Sonoris label with a wide range of acoustic instruments. And Galician Belén Vidal, aka BFlecha, will do the same with some of the many gems on “Beta”, an album that forges a new path for synth pop and electronic R&B sung in Spanish.

One of the most imaginative stages ever built, The Port returns to Bestival 2014 to host some of the biggest DJ's!

Heading up the first of three full-on days of big sounds is Cocoon kingpin and techno protagonist Sven Väth, who, for over 30 years, has been transporting dancefloors to rapturous new lands and will no doubt baptise 2014’s Port crew with his boundary pushing brilliance. Friday will also see sets from uncompromising genius Damian Lazarus, bass heavy groove merchant Eats Everything, rave detonator Boys Noize, driving techno type Bella Sarris, sine-woven tech head South London Ordnance, and our very own chief castaway Rob da Bank.

The biggest electronic music festival, the biggest rave in Spain. A lot of terms are used in an attempt to describe this festival, however it is literally impossible to put in plain words if you have not had the chance to attend it.

On top of the first artists released (Boys Noize, Paul Kalkbrenner live, Luciano, Vitalic, Steve Aoki y Dirtyphonics live); comes an array of 50+ artists covering all spectres of the electronic music scene. From the pophouse of megastar David Guetta, the Dubstep wobbles of Caspa, Benga and Rusko, and vintage sounds of techno pioneers such as Carl Cox, Dave Clarke and Richie Hawtin. The 2011 edition of Monegros Festival will cover and cater to all electronic music lovers.

The 2011 edition of Monegros will be celebrated with the live performance of Paul Kalkbrenner, strong from his “Berlin Calling” appearance and soundtrack production. After touring the world with his live show, we are lucky to have him play in the middle of our stunning desert surroundings for our 40 000 patrons. Expect to hear some of his new material as Paul Kalkbrenner just released his new album “ICKE WIEDER”

French producer Vitalic will also showcase his new live – V Mirror 2.0. For those who never had the chance to experience his show, it is an amazing opportunity to see how visuals can perfectly match electronic music in a astonishing way that you won’t forget.

HIP HOP

After the cancellation of his European tour last year due to internal management problems – we have the pleasure to announce the return of the mighty Busta Rhymes for Monegros 2011. Expect speed, jumps and sweat, as Busta is known as one the best live hip-hop show on earth. He will be supported by the crème of Spanish Hip Hop: Tote King, Sho Hai, Hablando en Plata and Rapsusklei.

TECHNO –THE RETURN OF THE OPEN AIR STAGE

Monegros goes back to its roots and reopens the OPEN AIR Stage. Expect full techno and minimal. From Dave Clarke to Loco Dice, Marco Carola and Steve Lawler, the open Air will cater to 15 000 techno fans – all dancing from Sunset till Sunrise under the stars. The Open air will also close with a showcase of the famous Barcelona after parties – ELROW. Expect craziness, toys, inflatables, party costumes – ELROW takes the party wherever they go.

ELECTRO

Monegros has always tried to cater to all electronic music lovers. This year electro lovers will have the chance to see Boys Noize on the Main Stage. Only doing 10 appearances around the world with his special show this year. Monegros patrons will be some of the lucky few with the chance to experience it. Boys Noize will have the support of Steve Aoki, Crookers, Tiga, Dr. Lektroluv and Brodinski.

DRUM & BASS

Monegros has always supported Drum&Bass and Dubstep. This year the legendary Andy C, regarded by many as the best D&B DJ in the World, will show us why he is considered the 3 decks wizard. Dirtyphonics will show us why the French do it better with a killer live, and Noisia will be closing the deal with a 6 hands DJs set, rare to be seen.

On the Dubstep front, Monegros patrons will have the chance to see three of the main actors of the scene. Caspa & MC Rod Azlan, Rusko and Benga & Youngman. All revered stars around the world.

HARD TECHNO

For those who like it fast, loud and hard, Monegros will once again support artists such as Narkotek Sound Sytsem, The Sickest Squad or Keygen Kaotic. However this year should see fans of Hard Techno and Schranz extra pleased with special live sets from God’s Army (Frank Kvitta and Boris S), Underdogz (Lukas & Malke) as well as Pet Duo.